Photogalleries from descendants
Hillel: part 1 part 2 part 3 part 4 part 5 Hana Sam
Rita Hillel, Israel part 4 The Grevler ( Grevleris) family told by Rita Grevler Hillel, Israel: |
|
As my step cousin Lea Lapidot Pur told me,( she was born in Rozalimas in 1909): |
|
There
were many cabbage fields . Once a week
there was a market in Rozalimas selling fresh goods from neighbouring areas.
She told me also the Jewish community was without the guidance of a rabbi
for a long time. The
rabbi’s house stayed empty for months. ( see also
V, 1, please). When her father
Yakov
Lapidot died,
Hava , ( later
Hava Sirkind),
Lea’s older sister , either made, or had made a cover for the
Sefer Torah with Yakov's name on it in his honour. My father Asher talked about a period when they didn't live in Rozalimas. If I am not mistaken they lived for a while in Kazan in Russia. He mentioned how sometimes young men were forcibly taken to the army. These last sentences reveal to us, that during WW1, as mentioned above regarding the Lapidot family, the Jewish families of Rozalimas were forced to live elsewhere, either in Lithuania or in Russia. ( see also vu zol ikh geyn ). |
|
This is in front of a house. My father's parents are seated in the centre of the picture. My dad is centre back with hat and tie and handkerchief in front pocket. |
|
The same photo with the names of the persons on it. | |
When the Jewish families returned to Rozalimas, there was almost no work for them , times became very difficult. The professions to be found amongst many of them them were above all: tailors, cobblers, dressmakers. Many rented out family rooms to Jewish tourists. Those who had family abroad ( America, South Africa e.g.) were supported by these relatives who sent food, clothing etc. Those who didn’t have family abroad endured very hard times . As a consequence several Jewish families left Rozalimas to emigrate to South Africa or other countries. Also the big fire in 1930 which destroyed a lot of houses belonging to Jewish families in the centre of Rozalimas had influenced their decision.
|
|
My father Asher's schoolcertificate, 1925. On top it reads: Lietuvas Respublika
|
|
|
|
My father Asher as a young man | |
My father Asher Grevler emigrated to South Africa in 1928. |